What is Asbestos Cancer?

Asbestos cancer (malignant mesothelioma) derives its common name from the fact that nearly all cases of it can be traced back to asbestos exposure. It’s a virulent form of malignancy, and can even be caused by exposure to clothes that were contaminated elsewhere and brought home. Things have become more regulated in this area with recent times, as the law requires these clothes to be left on the worksite. Fibers of asbestos are small, sharp, and thin, and bypass hairs in the nose and other body systems intended to filter these sorts out. Then the fibers catch up in the lungs, stomach, and even heart sac. This is where asbestos cancer develops.


Asbestos cancer occurs in the lining membranes (called mesothelia) of the lungs, heart, and other abdominal organs. There are actually 3 named forms of asbestos cancer. There is “pleural mesothelioma” (asbestos cancer of the lungs), “pericardial mesothelioma” (heart-sac asbestos cancer) and “peritoneal mesothelioma” (abdominal asbestos cancer). The lungs are by far the most prevalent, and the heart-sac form of asbestos cancer is extremely rare.

Asbestos cancer stems from abnormal cells in the mesothelia. At some point, these begin dividing out of control, and constitute asbestos cancer. If not diagnosed early and treated, once it manifests it becomes very aggressive. It can also spread to other organs (metastasize).

The first signs of asbestos cancer of the lungs (pleural) are generally a nagging cough and chest pain. Stomach fluid buildup is a potential sign of abdominal asbestos cancer, and swelling there will often occur. In the heart-sac, asbestos cancer will have symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, and coughing.

Asbestos cancer has been known to develop from as little as 2-3 months of exposure, though it typically takes from 20 to 40 years to happen, that many don’t realize the cause. Most diagnosed are men between 50 and 70 years old when diagnosed with asbestos cancer, and usually from working in asbestos-related industries. Woman and children are at times diagnosed, however often due to secondhand exposure to asbestos.

Once asbestos cancer has been diagnosed, it’s necessary to assess how widespread the cancer has developed. CT (computed tomography) scans and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) can help determine the disease’s progression and aid the medical professionals in deciding on suitable treatment. There are four stages of asbestos cancer progression. Diagnosis at the beginning stage leads to the most favorable prognosis. Within this beginning stage, the malignancy is only found in one segment of the organ’s lining (mesothelium) and hasn’t spread. If the disease does return after successful treatment, the asbestos cancer is considered “recurrent mesothelioma.”

Not everybody exposed to asbestos automatically contracts asbestos cancer. If you know, however, if you have worked around this natural-occurring deadly mineral, let your physician know. If you aren’t already receiving regular medical checkups, its time to start, as keeping an eye on your health is a serious factor in catching asbestos cancer in its early stages and greatly increasing your probability of survival.